“Cruella” is a very strange film. If you were expecting a predictable Disney movie that serves as a spin-off of “One Hundred And One Dalmatians”, you’re going to be in for a shock. This feels more like “A Clockwork Orange” and “Joker” than the 1961 Disney animated movie or even the 1996 live-action remake.

This film follows the early life of Cruella de Vil (Emma Stone “La La Land”, “Easy A”). After the death of her mother, she heads to London and begins a life of petty crime. Eventually, she pursues her dreams in the fashion industry where she works for The Baroness (Emma Thompson “Junior”), a fashion icon and socialite. However, the two have a greater connection than they could possibly have imagined.

Emma Stone is actually really good as Cruella. It’s clear she loves being in the role. At one point, we get a montage showing her stealing the spotlight with her whacky costumes at upmarket events and we get headlines about the police pursuing her. I had to laugh as apparently the police in this film don’t chase people for murder or drugs but for upstaging rich folks. Emma Thompson is enjoyable as The Baroness. Mark Strong (“Green Lantern”) is good. Sadly, Kayvan Novak (“Four Lions”) gets very little to do. The other characters are okay.

The film has an aesthetic that reminded me a lot of “A Clockwork Orange” and I never thought I’d say that about a Disney film marketed towards kids. In fact, I think most kids will be bored by this movie. For adults, there’s a lot to like here though. This is a bizarre and stupid movie at times yet it has a great energy and a lot of creativity. It drags you into its crazy world of 60s and 70s fashion with an effective soundtrack and a spectacular use of colour.